The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) supports Scottish objectives that match the priorities of the European Union Rural Development Programme. A key requirement in the 2014 - 20 SRDP is to address the EU 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme priorities for (i) restoring and preserving biodiversity, (ii) improving water and soil management, and (iii) reducing green-house gas emissions, through agri-environment payments. In this context, CREW have been asked to develop recommendations for the spatial targeting of agri-environment options in the 2014-20 SRDP.
The river environments of the UK and Ireland are special for their biodiversity and also the beneficial services they provide to humans. However after centuries of damage inflicted on them, our rivers have changed greatly and continue to be threatened. This means that effective river restoration alongside conservation is needed to bring back characteristic river habitat and wildlife.
"Valuing Your Soils", is newly published guidance, which will help Scottish farmers, crofters and land mangers protect and improve their most valuable resources.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) (e.g. restoring watercourses, riparian tree planting, washland and wetland creation) is a core component of flood risk management strategies in Scotland. However little is known of its potential impact on the farming and land management communities, individual farm businesses, or the socioeconomic impacts and perceptions of its potential wide-spread introduction.
The overall aim of this project is to examine the literature and evidence related to value of water resources to inform the implementation of the duty in the Bill. It must examine the value of water resources in a Scottish context both in quantitative and qualitative terms.
SEPA have requested a review highlighting examples of monitoring where personal monitors have the potential to be, or currently are, being used for aquatic monitoring. The review should take into account technologies which can be used by field/technical staff and members of the public as part of citizen science initiatives.
This project carried out an international review of monitoring networks to identify and summarise innovative approaches to inform monitoring under the water Framework Directive. SEPA said "As we review our monitoring networks to support the second cycle of the River Basin Management Plan, it's very important that we learn from approaches and opportunities developed elsewhere.
This project carried out an international review of monitoring networks to identify and summarise innovative approaches to inform monitoring under the water Framework Directive. SEPA said "As we review our monitoring networks to support the second cycle of the River Basin Management Plan, it's very important that we learn from approaches and opportunities developed elsewhere.
Small water and wastewater systems installed by private developers are a common feature across rural Scotland. Private developers have two options for service provision:
1. Connect to existing public services at a cost to them
2. Build private systems and operate and/or seek a vesting agreement with Scottish Water
Freshwater pearl mussels are critically endangered in Europe, with many of the largest remaining populations in Scotland. A number of studies in Europe have monitored fine sediment, or its effects, in relation to freshwater pearl mussel populations. As a result, fine sediment is recognised as one of the principal pressures affecting the species across its current range. In the UK, there is no current, agreed method for monitoring and regulating fine sediment in rivers.
